I recently bought a panasonic nvgs180 after reading good reviews and positive feedback from forum members. I am very pleased with the camcorder but i am finding it difficult to video in dark scenes. The instructions tell me to reverse the lcd screen and use the view finder for 0 lux and the lcd screen for low light, but when i do the images i record are in slow motion. The scene set function for low light is good but not great, any advice greatly received

[redsox_mark]

Video in low light isn't going to be very good whatever you do. One way to improve the picture (reduce the noise/gain) is to use a slower shutter speed; this sounds like what you are doing when you see the "slow motion". That method is really only usable if there is little movement.

Best thing is to add light...

[felix2]

Yes, there's the 'Low light' scene mode, as well as the 'Colour Night View' function and the '0 Lux Night View' function, both of which say "records as if frames were missed", which I guess must mean they're using a slow shutter speed. The '0 Lux Night View' function uses the LCD screen pointing forwards, all white, as a light, which it claims works for a subject up to 1.2 metres away.

As Mark says, if you're going to want to do much low light video, your best bet is to buy a small light to sit on top of the camera (and sorry, I haven't got any advice about them!).

Thanks for replying i will probably get a light when necessary

[toycollector]

Originally Posted by oh aye

Thanks for replying i will probably get a light when necessary

Had this camcorder for a while.Great for normal shots but poor for low light.Had a Sony over ten years ago which beat the pants off this in low light.

I agree i had a sony digital 8 with built in light which was great for low light scenes, I am very happy with the camera in general though.